A fraction represents a part of a whole. When an object or a group is divided into equal parts, each part is a fraction of the whole. Understanding how to read and write these parts is fundamental to mathematics.
A fraction consists of two numbers separated by a horizontal line.
| Term | Position | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Numerator | Above the line | Shows how many parts are being considered. |
| Denominator | Below the line | Shows the total number of equal parts in the whole. |
To read a fraction, we say the numerator followed by the denominator. For example, 5/4 can be read as "Five over Four" or "Five-fourths". To write a fraction from words, place the first number as the numerator and the second as the denominator.
Remember: "D" for Denominator and "D" for Down. The denominator is always the number at the bottom.
Avoid writing the numbers in the wrong order. The total number of parts must always be the denominator (bottom number).
A fraction is written as Numerator / Denominator. The numerator is the parts taken, and the denominator is the total parts.